— Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo
This is one of my new favorite stories/movies. This particular quote was shown in the previews before the movie even came out. And each time I hear it, it seems to grab me just a little bit more.
We are all interested in pursuing some type of success. Some of us want to be an amazing teacher (guilty) while others want to pursue careers in medicine or law. Some want to be amazing mothers and friends. Some of us just want to make it through Thursday. Whatever it is that you want to do, I have a challenge for you. 20 seconds. Count out twenty seconds in your head. (Heck, it’s taken more than 20 seconds to get this far in the post.) In this moment, without any distractions or work taking place, it may feel like a lifetime. Once you fill it with a simple act that would kick start your success, it zips by. Before you know it, it’s over. You have taken a step closer to what you want most.
Now, take that twenty seconds and try to make it happen each week, maybe even every day. And don’t play the “I’m too busy” card– it’s 0.0002% of your day. You can’t spare that?
Perhaps my favorite message in this story– Benjamin is asked why he is doing something as crazy as buying a zoo, taking on this insane challenge with his family, having no knowledge about what it takes, having one shot to make it all come together. People could wonder the same about you. What makes you so sure? What makes you so ready to jump at the chance to be great when the chance of failure is just as great? How can you let yourself be exposed to that uncertainty?
Finally, someone asks Benjamin Mee the obvious question– “Why?”
His response? “Why not?”
And that’s exactly the attitude you need. Why shouldn’t you fight like hell? Why shouldn’t you work those extra hours? Why shouldn’t I take a mere 20 seconds and take that step to what I want most. Why, why, WHY?
When the world asks, “Why,” you have to stare it in the face and say, “Why NOT?”
Love and Light, Carly
Blogging on The Brightside 